Air India Crash: A Year On, What Investigators Have Found So Far And Why Compensation Is Under Scrutiny

Last Updated:June 11, 2026, 16:51 IST

One year after the AI-171 tragedy, key questions remain unanswered as investigators continue engine analysis and families debate compensation terms.

A year after Air India flight AI-171 crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people, investigators are yet to issue a final report into what caused India’s deadliest aviation disaster in nearly three decades. While the probe has increasingly focused on the movement of critical fuel-control switches inside the cockpit, questions over compensation for victims’ families have also sparked controversy.

The crash occurred on June 12, 2025, when the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick went down moments after departing Ahmedabad. A total of 241 people on board and 19 people on the ground were killed, leaving only one survivor.

WHAT HAPPENED ON THE DAY OF THE CRASH?

According to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB) preliminary findings released in July 2025, the aircraft lost thrust in both engines seconds after take-off when the engine fuel-control switches moved from the “RUN" position to “CUTOFF".

This cut fuel supply to both engines and triggered a rapid loss of power.

Investigators found that the switches were later moved back to the “RUN" position and the engines attempted to relight, but the aircraft did not recover sufficient thrust before crashing.

The crash marked the first fatal hull loss involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft entered service in 2011.

WHY HAVE THE FUEL SWITCHES BECOME THE FOCUS?

The preliminary report placed extraordinary attention on the fuel-control switches because they are protected by locking mechanisms and are not designed to be moved accidentally during normal flight.

Cockpit recordings captured an exchange in which one pilot asked the other why the fuel had been cut off, while the other denied doing so. However, the report did not identify which pilot made which statement and stopped short of assigning responsibility.

The findings led to widespread speculation about whether the switches were moved intentionally, inadvertently or because of some technical issue.

Aviation experts and pilot groups have urged caution, noting that the preliminary report did not establish a definitive cause. The AAIB itself stated that it was too early to draw conclusions.

WHY HAS THE FINAL REPORT BEEN DELAYED?

The final report was expected around the first anniversary of the crash. However, it is learnt that investigators are likely to miss that deadline because they are still analysing the aircraft’s GE Aerospace engines and related systems.

Investigators conducted engine tests in April and travelled to France in May to examine the engine management unit, while some components were sent to the United States for further examination.

Under international aviation rules, investigators are expected to release a final report within a year, but complex investigations can take longer.

PILOTS’ BODY AND FAMILY MEMBERS SEEK MORE ANSWERS

The investigation has also drawn objections from pilot representatives and family members of those involved.

As the investigation continues to progress, the Federation of Indian Pilots wrote to the government and aviation authorities on June 5, urging investigators not to release an interim report without obtaining more technical data from Boeing and Air India.

The organisation argued that additional evidence was needed before any theory involving deliberate pilot action could be considered.

Separately, the father of the aircraft’s captain has sought an independent inquiry that examines possibilities beyond pilot action. It was reported that he approached the courts seeking a broader investigation into the causes of the tragedy.

WHAT IS THE COMPENSATION CONTROVERSY?

Even as the technical investigation continues, compensation for victims’ families has become a contentious issue.

The issue came into public focus after Radhika Rupani, daughter of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who died in the crash, raised concerns with Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran regarding compensation-related documents.

She questioned aspects of the settlement process while seeking clarity on compensation matters.

The controversy deepened after reports highlighted concerns about a clause in Air India’s compensation framework. It was learnt that some families objected to provisions that they believed could affect their ability to pursue future legal claims against the airline or aircraft manufacturer after accepting compensation.

Air India has denied exerting any pressure on families and has stated that there is no deadline to accept compensation offers and that families are free to wait until the investigation is completed before making decisions.

Airline sources told ANI that some families had voluntarily chosen to proceed with settlements from October 2025 onward, while others could wait for the final report.

The airline has also maintained that indemnity provisions are standard legal clauses and do not amount to coercion.

Meanwhile, the AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust has disbursed ex gratia assistance of Rs 1 crore to nearly all affected families, according to airline sources cited by ANI.

The next major milestone will be the release of the AAIB’s interim or final findings.

Investigators are still examining whether the movement of the fuel-control switches resulted from human action, a system malfunction or another yet-to-be-determined factor. Until those questions are answered, the central mystery of what caused the loss of thrust on AI-171 remains unresolved.

About the Author

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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